Travel Eye on Breckenridge (Colorado, USA)

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Overview:

Colorado's oldest Victorian mountain town, dating back to 1859, Breckenridge is a resort of contrasts: timber-fronted shops and houses and old street lamps create a quaint ambience akin to a living museum, an impression somewhat marred by modern expansion in the form of concrete and glass hotels, condominiums and shopping centres. Breckenridge is one of the top 3 destinations in the US for British skiers and among the most popular with boarders. Of particular merit is its specialist park and half-pipe. For skiers there is a decent range of pistes across 4 tree-lined peaks, but Breckenridge is small by US standards. Advanced skiers will find some good but short runs, while the expanded top bowls offer some worthwhile off-piste (Lake Chutes). Intermediates have enjoyable but limited cruising, while beginners benefit most, with an excellent ski school at which to learn. Better skiers will want to use the shared lift pass, with access to Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Vail for more variety. Snow reliability is exceptional, as is the lift system, which removes queuing almost entirely.

As it is one of the nearest resorts to Denver (80 miles), pistes and the town can be overcrowded during holidays and weekends. The usual high standard of childcare is offered and families will like the largely non-smoking town.

Locality:

Breckenridge is situated in W-central United States, in the central portion of Colorado State. 85 mls W of downtown Denver, 12 mls SE of Frisco, 17 mls SW of Keystone, 90 mls SW of Denver international airport. Breckenridge is nestled in the broad, undulating Blue River Valley to the E of the 10-ml-long Front Range Mountains.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

The resort has a 19th century feel to it, as it was a gold-mining town. There's a full range of accommodation, from self-catering to top hotels, but some are removed from the lifts and require a free shuttle bus ride. Compared to other North American resorts, Breckenridge is pretty lively, with over 75 restaurants and a varied selection of bars. There are also the usual alternative Alpine pursuits (sleigh rides, ice skating, etc), as well as the traditional off-snow activities of a medium-sized town (cinema, swimming, art gallery, shopping).

Overall, Breckenridge is a solid ski base from which to explore the Summit County resorts. Lastly, though, please be aware of altitude sickness that, when combined with jetlag, can make for a few uncomfortable days. If you are planning to drive up to Breckenridge (a relatively easy 2 hour drive from the airport), why not consider spending the first night in mile-high Denver to sleep off the jet-lag and facilitate a gradual acclimatisation.